Weingut Weninger

Horitschon, Burgenland

Austria is not all Grüner Veltliner, there are great reds too and the region of Burgenland is a source of some of Austria's finest reds. Some of the very finest come from Franz Weninger in Horitschon, which is located at the southern end of the shallow Neusiedlersee right by the Hungarian border.

Franz came into the business in 1982 when he took over a 7 hectare estate from his parents. In 1982, Austrian wines were not in the same quailty league as they are today and in those days much wine, including Weninger's, was sold in bulk with only a little made available for bottle sales.

Franz decided to set out on the path to quality and before long was producing wines which were already starting to be noticed by the outside world while other Austrian wine was still of a very poor quality.

He rapidly developed a loyal band of regular customers and today has some 23 hectares of vines on premium sites around Horitschon, on deep, heavy, loamy topsoils which are rich in clay and iron.

Weninger's principal variety is Blaufränkisch, but other indigenous varieties grown include St. Laurent and Zwiegelt, alongside international Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Blauer Burgunder. These wines are not just good, they are frankly world class and deserve your attention. They include a handful of Austria’s very top red wines including the iconic Blaufränkisch Dürrau.

Weninger has also recently made investements in vineyards just over the border in Hungary which are managed by his son Franz Jr. I am pleased to be able to offer you a selection of Weninger wines. (Note: we also have a few of the Weninger wines from their Balf vineyard listed here.)